By Saira Dar

Date:14-10-06

Source: Dawn

LOCATED 240km off the south-east corner of mainland Australia, Tasmania is the homeland of almost 500,000. This faraway island in the south has been brought to us in spirit through the work of its artists, who have tried to capture the feel of their homeland through varied means of expression.

Presented through the collaboration of the Devonport Regional Gallery and the Asialink Centre of the University of Melbourne, this touring exhibition has been curated by Jane Stewart who has selected works of prominent Tasmanian artists. These include Julie Bough, David Keeling, Jonathan Kimberly (in collaboration with poet Jim Everett) Bea Maddock, Davis Stephenson, Richard Wastell and Phillip Wolfhagen.

Viewers are welcomed to this exhibition at the Alhamra art galleries by the enchanting collection of unusually large and shimmering abalone sea shells heaped in a maze of Manila rope -– all of these placed on a circle of sand by artist Julie Bough. A descendant of a Tasmanian aboriginal elder, she lives in selfimposed exile in northern Queensland, but attempts to remain connected to her original homeland through her artis tic configurations. Less magical in its impact than the aforementioned creation, is another statement made with more mundane objects. Titled Lune (moon) she links canvas buoys with ropes and hangs them on the wall in an attempt to reaffirm her nostalgic yearnings for her homeland.

David Keelings Diminishing paradise series are in contrast to Bough’s work in their small miniature-like scale and style, made in oil paints on small wooden ovals. Placed together as a group, they represent the artist’s observation of his surroundings and his view of the relationship Tasmanians have developed with their land since the time of colonisation. Whether it is a view of the landscape or a historical building, or some symbol of commercial life in urban society, the artist provides insight into the conflicts present between modernisation and an effort at conserving natural environment.

Jonathan Kimberly works in collaboration with aboriginal poet Jim Everett, seeking inspiration from Everett’s country in north-east Tasmania where the two of them have observed natural landscape, and contemplated and recorded their responses to the surroundings. Somber yet sensitive, these monochrome works in acrylic and charcoal on linen create an imagery of trunks and branches of trees in both frontal and aerial perspectives, thus bringing a fresh approach to the commonly used theme of trees.

Bea Maddoch also abstains from indulging in colour and opts for a soothing monochrome palette, creating a sparse landscape of mountains through a series of eight interconnected canvasses. The addition of a sentence which states ‘to the erratics of abundance that evens out over a long period of time’ could perhaps been omitted from the painting, which was adequate in itself.

Yet more poignant and again in monochrome are the photographs by David Stephenson in which skeleton-like trees, half drowned in the water of lakes stand out, both enchanting and haunting the viewer. His Drowned series capture the lakes in Tasmania’s central and west ern districts which were dammed during the late 1900s.

Richard Wastell is also an observer of denuded forests, but his images in paint are fired with bright earthy hues and bold pat terns that form somewhat surreal landscapes. His works are overtly intense and his hot and hyper real colours are a dramatic contrast to the mostly monochromatic images present in the exhibition.

Philip Wolfhagen’s oil paintings on canvas convey the feel of a mountainous landscape, focusing on its immediacy and rugged simplicity. His use of colour is minimal but enough to convey atmospheric qualities. A feeling of isolation does nonetheless, prevail.

Thus, The island south is brought to us through the works of seven artists, each with his or her own distinctive style and medium. The emphasis is on the natural environment, and the issues related to conserving it appear to be the predominant concern of these artists.